Cold Weather tricks

[bubenberg]

yesterday in 16 degree (F not C) we installed, via magnet for the time being, our heater under the hydraulic reservoir (pauls trick). then we used Charlies airplane suggestion for the engine. that is, blowing air from the dodge ram diesel exhaust onto the engine block of the pt425. as Charlie recommended we used heavy duty vacuum hose to accomplish the trick.
when we thought that it was time to start THE THING, the regular battery pack (Pauls contribution) was attached to the pt battery and after some extended cranking the beasty turned over on the second try. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

A supplemental suggestion re use of shop vac hose to carry exhaust heat.
A foot or so of 2" PVC taped to the hose and inserted into the exhaust pipe will reduce melt of vacuum hose. It did fine 'til I got impatient and took the revs to 2000.
I proved that above idle is too much heat for the hose. Scientific test, don't ya know. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[eambrose]

Hi
Did you mean the 425 not 1425 - There is a car battery that fits in the space? How much faster does it crank the engine?
Do you have the model / or car it fits - I would really like to get a more powerful battery for my brother in laws 425

 

[barrell]

I have the old 1425 from 1994. The tractor was the first to use the 25 hp Khohler. The battery that came with it and I replaced a few times was a small lawn and garden type. It would barely start the engine in 20 degree weather and wouldnt turn it over fast enough around 0 degrees. The new battery turns it over in any temp faster than the small battery did in hot summer weather. Starts instantly!!!!!
Barrell

 

[eambrose]

Hi everyone
does anyone know what car battery will actually fit the 425?
it seems to me that the space is small and I thought only a tractor battery would fit - 800 amp would make a huge difference - I will get one tomorrow and install it for my brother in law if there is one that fits- I can't believe that you have to remove the muffler to get the battery out - that was a poor design mistake

Well looks like a big one is coming for tomorrow night

 

[PatH]

Last winter I spent quite a bit of time experimenting on methods to improve cold weather starting of my 422 before I replaced the ignition coils and solved the problem. The one hint I would provide based on my experience is put whatever heat source you have available directly on the pumps, especially the variable displacement pump. It seemed that the hydraulic tank had too much volume and surface area to allow my 200 watt magnetic heater to do much. But if the heater was applied to the flat side of the variable displacement pump for an hour or two, the cranking speed of the engine was noticeably better.

 

[Egon]

Imagine my surprise that a motor mount had to be removed to replace a fan belt on the wife's car. Took me several hours to convince myself.

Egon

 

[MossRoad]

New Member? Welcome to TBN! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Trev]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Imagine my surprise that a motor mount had to be removed to replace a fan belt on the wife's car. Took me several hours to convince myself.

Egon )</font>

Eeek! What kind of car does she have? Maybe I'll avoid that model.. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[johara1]

i tried the magnet to,the best thing i found was a torpedo heater. i guess the problem is there with all hyd. equipment you need a way to disingage the hyd. pumps till its started.or go to syn. oil in the hyd tank, unless you have a heated building /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Bob999]

With the smaller batteries used on some equipment I find that using a large heavy duty battery charger, or a smaller one with a start setting while starting the engine makes a big difference in cranking speed and the ability to start the engine.

 

[bubenberg]

welcome to TBN, as i am writing you this note, i am applying your suggestion, just about the placing of the heaters, to my 425. the reason why i think, it will work for mine too is that in inclement weather we have the ability to disengage the hydraulics on our hydrostatic walkbehind mowers, which makes starting a snap.

here is what i did, this is based on your input and the experience with the hydrostatic walkbehind mowers:

one magnetic heater (Kat's Heaters, Handi-Heat Magnetic Heater, 200 Watts, Made by Five Star Mfg.Co, sorry no web link, the ones i found are all dead) by the hydraulic filter and another in the aft, on the hydraulic lines to and from the engine.

i know this is not engineering talk but in a few minutes, i hope your suggestion will worke for me too.

 

[bubenberg]

Update: Five Star Magnetic Handi-Heaters are sold by dealers only:

such as: TSC and Napa

the mfg. does not have a web site at this time /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

good luck, for me here comes the freezing Rain>

 

[MossRoad]

In my IH2500B there is a hydraulic dump valve that takes all the pressure off the system. You can't hardly start it without pushing that valve. Maybe Power Trac needs to get an electrically operated bypass circuit that dumps pressure when the ignition key is in the crank position to aid in cold weather starting.

 

[bubenberg]

Mr. M.R. spoke to Terry and asked him to get with the owner/engineers for proper placement and possible permanent installation/solution. Terry asked me to call him back in about two days ...


with your permission i would like to pass on your suggestion too. this is, unless you care to contact pt yourself.

 

[bubenberg]

your suggestion worked great.

in 10 F weather it took about an hour, with a heater in the front and the back entrance

 

[PTRich]

I have not had a problem starting my 425 yet even in extreme cold (0). I put the gas at full throttle and the choke at full. This (maybe?) gets the gas to the cylinders very quickly. I know it will take a few tries but it kicks a little every time. I also think a larger battery would make a big difference. When it is real cold it does struggle to turn the motor over.

 

[Egon]

Trev:

It's a 92 pontiac grand am so you will not have to worry about purchasing one. To make it even better the water pump went at the same time while out at the lake. Took a couple days to change the pump.
Egon

 

[MossRoad]

Go for it, Hans. You have way more experience with the grean beastie than I. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Tell them they can call it the cold weather starting kit and charge a hundred bucks extra!

 

[bubenberg]

ok Mr. M.R. will do! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

since you edited your's i can do the same ....hihihihih!

the 200 Watt magnetic heaters with taxes were around 39.00 .... TCS has them around here for 29.00 each